Deku Baba
Deku Babas are recurring Enemies in The Legend of Zelda series.[1][2][name references needed] In each incarnation, they are carnivorous plants akin to Venus Flytraps that attack passersby, should they come too close.
Characteristics
Ocarina of Time
Deku Babas commonly appear in heavily wooded areas in Ocarina of Time. When approached, they will rise from their base and periodically lunge at Link. However, they have a limited range. If they are struck while lunging, they will stiffen straight upwards, allowing Link to kill them and retrieve Deku Sticks. Given enough time, they will return to their arched position and resume their attack. If struck again, they will die, leaving behind a Deku Nut from the bud.
A "withered" variant also appears, unable to curl their stems, relying on Link to walk into them for damage. After rising from the base, they will eventually pivot in a small circle to increase their range. Deku Babas are especially common in the Lost Woods (particularly Kokiri Forest, the Forest Temple and Inside the Deku Tree).
A much larger version of a Deku Baba can be found, known as a Big Deku Baba. Its attack patterns are the same as the normal variant.
Majora's Mask
That's a Deku Baba! Cut it down when it has extended its body and Deku Nuts or Sticks will come out.
Withered variantDon't tell me you don't know about the Deku Baba! Cut it down when it has extended its body and Deku Nuts or Sticks will come out.
Isn't that a Deku Baba?
But it looks a little withered...Just cut it. You should at least get a Deku Stick out of it.
Deku Babas in Majora's Mask function identically to those in Ocarina of Time, dropping Deku Sticks and Deku Nuts when defeated, depending on how they are killed. They appear in places such as Termina Field, the Southern Swamp, Woodfall and even the Stone Tower Temple. A smaller variant also appears, known as a Mini Baba, consisting of just the bud and leaves at its base. Another variant is also found, Bio Deku Babas, which hang from lily pads and gain increased mobility when severed from them.
Twilight Princess
Deku Babas only lunge at Link when he approaches them in Twilight Princess, otherwise, they retract inside their base. They are often encountered within patches of tall grass, or on ceilings, making them difficult to see until Link draws near. Unlike the previous incarnations, these Deku Babas possess a set of sharp teeth with which they can bite Link. They are found in places such as Faron Woods, the Forest Temple, Hyrule Field and the City in the Sky. When slain, they leave a seed case that can be broken to retrieve Seeds that can be used with the Slingshot.
Several variants of Deku Babas appear in Twilight Princess, such as the Baba Serpent, which is a more aggressive relative that continues to attack Link even when severed from its roots, and Big Babas, which appear to have a symbiotic relationship with Deku Likes. The Boss Diababa also resembles a Deku Baba, both in appearance and in name.
Shadow Deku Baba
Shadow Deku Babas are Deku Babas transformed by the power of the Twilight. They act identically to their regular counterparts. The only difference between the two is that upon being killed, Shadow Deku Babas will not leave seed pods on the ground. Instead, they will just explode in a similar fashion to other enemies corrupted by Twilight.
There are also version of the Shadow Deku Baba that behave similarly to Baba Serpents.
Skyward Sword
Target lock: Deku Baba
This violent plant is widespread in wooded areas. It will attempt to bite anything that approaches it.
Though it is covered in a tough outer husk, the inside of its mouth is soft.
I have confirmed the existence of two varieties: those that open their mouths vertically and those that open them horizontally.
Deku Babas in Skyward Sword require a different strategy with the Sword than previous titles. There are three variants. One opens its mouth horizontally, another vertically, and the last is found upside-down on ceilings. Deku Babas will only take damage if Link slashes in the same direction that the plant's mouth opens.[3] As such, slicing vertically while the Deku Baba has its mouth open horizontally will not be effective. Furthermore, the Deku Baba only takes half damage with stab attacks, even with the Master Sword, and will try to dodge if Link stabs. However, they will not dodge if Link attempts to hit them with a Skyward Strike stab.
Deku Babas can also be defeated using Bombs. Rolling, throwing or placing a Bomb close to a Deku Baba will tempt it to swallow it,[4] causing the Bomb to explode inside the Deku Baba and kill it. In addition to this, Link can also cut the stem of a Deku Baba with the Beetle,[5] or by performing a Spin Attack after a successful Shield Bash. When defeated, Deku Babas occasionally drop Jelly Blobs.
A golden relative of Deku Babas, known as Quadro Babas, appear later in the game. True to their name, their bud is split into four sections, allowing them to change which way their mouth parts. They do this often in an attempt to confuse Link.
Other Appearances
Ocarina of Time (Himekawa)
Deku Babas make an appearance in the Ocarina of Time manga by Akira Himekawa, attacking Link when he has returned to Korki Village, just like in the game. Link easily defeats them, saving Mido from one in the process.
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Deku Babas appear as a collectible Sticker in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
| Sticker | Artwork from | Effect in The Subspace Emissary | Usable by |
|---|---|---|---|
 Deku Baba |
Ocarina of Time | [Arm, Leg] - Attack +4 | All |
Mario Kart 8
Deku Babas appear on the Hyrule Circuit track replacing Piranha Plants.
Hyrule Warriors
In Hyrule Warriors, Deku Babas appear as giant stage obstacles, often guarding key points of the battlefield by blocking the way. They emit a poisonous miasma,[6] hurting anyone getting close to it. They can only be defeated with the Bow, as they will retract into their roots if any other kind of attack is attempted.[7][8] They will usually drop many Rupees once defeated. They appear primarily in the Scenario, "The Sorceress of the Woods", where the Bow is first found, necessitating its obtention.
Trivia
Nomenclature
 Names in Other Regions  | ||
|---|---|---|
| Language | Names | Meanings |
 Japanese |
| |
 ChineseSI | 德库食人草 (Dékù shírén cǎo) (OoT)[21] | |
 FrenchEU | Baba mojo (SSHD | HWDE)[19][20] | Mojo baba |
 German | Dekuranha (SSHD | HWDE)[17][18] | |
 Italian |
| |
 SpanishEU | Baba deku (SSHD)[22] | Same as English. |
| This table was generated using translation pages. To request an addition, please contact a staff member with a reference. | ||
Gallery
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A withered Deku Baba
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A vertical-mouthed Deku Baba from Skyward Sword
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Deku Babas from Skyward Sword
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Deku Baba from Mario Kart 8
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Deku Baba from Hyrule Warriors
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Deku Baba Portrait from Hyrule Warriors
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VS Deku Baba icon from Hyrule Warriors
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A vertical-mouthed Deku Baba from Skyward Sword HD
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Deku Babas from Skyward Sword HD
See Also
References
- ↑ Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 174 (OoT | OoT3D | MM | MM3D | TP | TPHD | SS)
- ↑ "Deku Baba" — Battlefield Info (Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition)
- ↑ "When you are fighting a Deku Baba, pay attention to how it opens its mouth and swing your sword accordingly. It is also effective to shield bash the Deku Baba at the moment it attacks." — Fi (Skyward Sword)
- ↑ "Some monsters with limited intelligence will mistake bombs for prey. I suggest you try offering a bomb to a Chuchu or Deku Baba and see what happens." — Fi (Skyward Sword)
- ↑ "Master, your Beetle has the ability to sever thin cords or filaments, such as strands of rope or Deku Baba stems." — Fi (Skyward Sword)
- ↑ "Why is that plant spewing poison into the surrounding area?" — Sheik (Hyrule Warriors)
- ↑ "That's a Deku Baba. Unless you can hit it with a sharp, ranged attack, we'll die of poisoning!" — Lana (Hyrule Warriors)
- ↑ "That bow should be effective against Deku Babas. Lock on and fire some arrows!" — Lana (Hyrule Warriors)
- ↑ "This is a monster called Dekubaba. He snaps at you! I crossed a dog with the snapping clam from Mario to make this villain." —Shigeru Miyamoto (THE Z-FILES.)
- ↑ "Quella non è una Deku baba?" — Tatl (Majora's Mask 3D, Italian localization)
- ↑ "Bersaglio inquadrato: Deku baba." — Fi (Skyward Sword HD, Italian localization)
- ↑ Enciclopedia di Hyrule, Magazzini Salani, pg. 174
- ↑ "Deku Baba" — Navi (Ocarina of Time 3D, Italian localization)
- ↑ Hyrule Encyclopedia, Ambit Ltd., pg. 186
- ↑ Nintendo Official Guidebook—The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Shogakukan, pg. 144
- ↑ Hyrule Encyclopedia, Ambit Ltd., pg. 188
- ↑ "Dies ist ein Dekuranha." — Fi (Skyward Sword HD, German localization)
- ↑ "Dekuranha" — N/A (Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition)
- ↑ "La cible verrouillée est une Baba mojo." — Fi (Skyward Sword HD, European French localization)
- ↑ "Baba mojo" — Battlefield Info (Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition, European French localization)
- ↑ "德库食人草
突击你时攻击它，他就会笔直竖立。趁机砍断它就得到一根德库木棒！" — Navi (Ocarina of Time, iQue version) - ↑ "El objetivo seleccionado es un baba deku." — Fi (Skyward Sword HD, European Spanish localization)
- Enemies
- Babas
- Deku
- Plant-Like Enemies
- Enemies in Ocarina of Time
- Enemies in Ocarina of Time 3D
- Enemies in Majora's Mask
- Enemies in Majora's Mask 3D
- Enemies in Twilight Princess
- Enemies in Twilight Princess HD
- Enemies in Skyward Sword
- Enemies in Skyward Sword HD
- Enemies in Link's Crossbow Training
- Enemies in Ocarina of Time (Himekawa)
- Enemies in Mario Kart 8
- Enemies in Hyrule Warriors
- Enemies in Hyrule Warriors Legends
- Enemies in Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition